September 7, 2009

Santos Hosts First of 2010 Campaign Fundraisers

San Leandro Mayor Tony Santos will host the first of the 2010 campaign fundraisers on September 17, 2009, at Vila Cereja restaurant in San Leandro.

According to the flyer for the "Annual Fundraiser," the honorary host committee consists of California State Senator and former San Leandro Mayor Ellen Corbett, Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, former San Leandro Mayor Shelia Young, San Leandro Councilmembers Jim Prola and Michael Gregory, former San Leandro Councilmembers Gordon Galvan and Kent Myers, and former California Assemblymember and San Leandro Councilmember Johan Klehs.

According to the flyer, host committee sponsorships are $2,500 and nine of them are listed, a total of $22,500. Tickets are $99 (for those who wish to remain below the $100 reporting threshold) and the event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Vila Cereja is located at 1045 MacArthur Boulevard in San Leandro.

Santos is running to be re-elected Mayor of San Leandro, a position he has held since November 2006, when he defeated San Leandro Councilmember Orval "OB" Badger. Santos previously served as the District 6 Councilmember from 1994 to 1992 and from 2000 to 2006.

Although there had been speculation that former San Leandro Mayor Young might run again for Mayor, her listing as an honorary host of the fundraiser confirms that Young will not be running for Mayor. So far, San Leandro Councilmember Joyce Starosciak is Santos' only opponent.

The election is currently scheduled for June 2010, but if the San Leandro City Council decides to implement instant run-off voting (IRV), also known as ranked-choice voting, the election could be moved to November 2010.